System and apparatus for facsimile telegraphy



4 sheets-sheet' 1 AINVENTOR R.J.W|SE

A RNE'YQ ug. 5, i947.

R. J, WISE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filled April 4, 194.24

, Aug. 5, 1947. 'E R, J, WISE 2,425,0l9

K SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Filed April 4, 1942 4 sheets-sheet@ -a 9 ll. O f- '-"1 0o I g ia g O O i MESSAGE I DEPOSIT BEING MESSAGE REWRITE lod MESSAGE `TRANSMITTED ACCEPTED MESSAGE 22g 22C d MESSAGE SHEET FEEDER l i NVENTOR ,1 R.J.w|sa

A oRNEY Aug. 5, 1947. R. J. WISE y 2,425,019

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEQRAPHY Filed April 4, 1942 Y 4 Sheets-SheefI 3 ATTORNEY RELAY BY DRUM CYLING CAM Aug. 5, 147, R. J. WISE SYSTEM AND `APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Fild April 4, 1.942

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 +(HIGH POTENTIAL) lNVE'NTOR R. J. WIS E J ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 5, 1947 SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Raleigh J. Wise, Dunellen, N. J., assignor to The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 4, 1942, Serial No. 437,719

8 Claims. l

This invention relates to telegraph systems, and particularly to telegraph systems capable o f transmitting messages, pictures and other ymaterial in facsimile.

By employing the system of this invention between a telegraph central office and a number of outlying local telegraph offices or machines 1ocated on the premises of subscribers to a telegraph service, it is possible to select one of these outlying stations vor machines when it is unattended and transmit a message or series of `messages thereto. This is feasible in the record communication industry only when absolute assurance can be had by an operator or other attendant at the central office that the message has been recorded only at the station for which it is intended. It will be understood that the term message as used herein may refer to written or printed matter, pictures and drawings or any other subject matter to be reproduced by the facsimile process.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a telegraph system including a number of unattended receiving stations, any one of which may be selected from a central point at will, the system having provisions for checking the selection of a station, checking receipt of the message by the selected station, and also checking the content of the message received by the selected station.

Acther object of the invention is to provide a telegraph system in which full control of a combined transmitter and recorder may be exercised from a remote point, such as a telegraph central oiiice.

Another object of this invention is to provide a facsimile telegraph machine of the rotating cylinder type constructed and arranged to automatically load and unload the message sheet cylinder with either recording blanks or message sheets bearing subject matter for transmission.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel system of control of a cornbined transmitter and recorder whereby the transmitter or recorder functions may be selected and controlled from a remote point.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for the selective distribution of message sheets removed from the copyholder of' a transmitting device, a receiving device, or a ccmbined transmitting and receiving device.

These and other objects of the invention will i ceeds, withreference Yto .the raccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig, 1 is an elevational view partly in section of a combined transmitter-recorder constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is afragmentary detail view in perspective of the copyholder cylinder of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is la wiring diagram showing a circuit arrangement for `controlling and operating the combined machine of the present invention;

Fig. 4 isa wiring diagram showing the central oiiice equipment for controlling and operating a number of machines embodying features of this invention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. l of `a `modiied machine; and

Fig. 6 shows a modification of Figs. 3 and 4.

In the present invention the novel facsimile transmitter-recorder disclosed herein is connected by a communication circuit to a communication center equipped with a transmitter, a message recorder, and a monitor recorder. lThese three pieces of central office equipment are arranged to be connected to any incoming communication circuit having one or more of the automatic facsimile transmitter-recorders of this invention connected thereto. The central cnice transmitter and message recorder may be combined into one automatic machine which is of the drum changing type similar to that described in the patent to R. J. Wise et al., No. 2,255,868, granted September 16, 1941. The monitor recorder may be of the type disclosed in Fig. e of the drawings of Patent No. 2,255,869, granted to G1. H. Ridings et al. September 16, 1941. To simplify operation of the system, the monitorrccorder may be mechanically driven from the central ofice transmitter whether or not the latter is combined with the central cnice message recorder.

The combined transmitter-recorder disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 may include structural renements shown and claimed in Patent No. 2,262,715, granted to R. J. Wise et al. on November 11, 1941, for System and apparatus for automatic iacsimile teiegraphy, and also in Patent No. 2,365,- 741, issued December 26, 1944, to R. J. Wise et al., for System and apparatus for facsimile telegraphy.

The combined transmitter-recorder li) is housed in a box I I which may be placed in any location accessible to a person authorized to collect and distribute received messages or to a member of the general public having a message for transmission. The box II is provided with a bin I2 for receiving message sheets ejected from a copyholding cylinder I4 upon operation of a stripping nger I5. The bin I2 is accessible through an opening II' in front of the box, which may be provided with a locked closure I3 if desired. The key for this closure may also operate a lock switch used in place of a push button switch I9, provided for use by a person to start the transmitter-recorder when a message is to be transmitted to the communication center.

A series of ve signs 2l provided with illuminating lamps 22a to 22e are located in the front panel 23 of the box II. The lamps are controlled from the central oiilce to illuminate the signs at appropriate times when the machine is used as a transmitter in a manner to be described.

The message sheet receiving slot 24 is provided for the insertion of message sheets bearing subject matter to be transmitted when the machine is to be used as a transmitter. The slot 24 communicates with a chute 26, which may be formed as shown between the inwardly directed upper part 2'I of the panel 23 and the horizontal portion of an angularly bent cover plate 28 which protects the paper feeding mechanism.

These externally accessible portions of the equipment are all that need be manipulated and observed in operating the machine as a transmitter. The recording functions of the machine are controlled solely from the central ofce and access thereto is not needed except for purposes of adjustment, when required.

The upper portion of the box II houses the feeding mechanism for successively delivering individual recording blanks to the copyholding cylinder I4. As illustrated, the paper feed includes a roll BI of individual blanks 32 supported, preferably in overlapping relationship, as shown in Patent No. 2,365,741, above referred to, on an elongated belt 33 of any suitable material, the end of the belt being secured to a mandrel 34. The belt and the blanks supported thereby are rolled together around the mandrel to form the blank supply roll 3 I,

The opposite ends of the mandrel may be conveniently supported in notches 36 in a pair of reel supporting bracket arms 3T mounted on the upper front panel 38 of the box II. The belt 33 passes downwardly around the lower edge of the panel 38 and thence to a belt takeup reel 39 which is in driving engagement with a motor (not shown) contained within the housing 4I. Unwinding of the belt 33 and the blanks 32 releases them one at a time, permitting each blank to drop onto the copyholding cylinder I4, provided with teeth 42 as disclosed and claimed in Patent No. 2,262,715, referred to above. A hinged cover 44 gives direct access to the reel 3|, and a side panel or cover plate 46 may be removed to facilitate removal ci the belt 33 after it has been wound on the mandrel 39. It will be understood that the structural elements and indicating devices disclosed in Patent No. 2,365,741, above ref erred to may be associated with the paper supply reel 3l.

The copyholding cylinder I4 is mounted on a shaft 47 supported in suitable bearings and driven from a motor 4S, indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 3 of the drawings, which also drives a lead screw 49 in a well-known manner.

lA peripheral groove I is formed in the cylinder and receives a linger 52 secured to a rock shaft 53 rotatably mounted at each end in any suitable manner in the frame of the machine I II. The rod 53 carries a switch arm 54 which cooperates with a pair of contacts 56 and 51. A spring 58 normally presses the iinger 52 into the groove 5I. Obviously, when a message sheet of any kind is in position on the cylinder I4, the finger 52 is held out of the slot, thus raising the switch arm 54 into the position shown, aording a convenient means for controlling the locking magnet 59 of the chute 26 and the tape reel motor which is operatively connected to the mandrel 39.

A presser roller 6I is rotatably mounted on a stem 62 projecting outwardly from a bracket arm 63 pivoted at 64 to a stationary portion 66 of the machine frame. A spring 61 resiliently urges the roller 6I into engagement with the periphery of the cylinder I4. The roller ,6I is grooved at 69 to accommodate the teeth 42. The roller 6I in conjunction with the teeth 42 serves to draw either a recording blank 32 or a message sheet bearing Subject matter for transmission onto the copyholding cylinder I4.

A scanner carriage 73, housing and supporting the optical transmitter scanning device I including a chopper motor 72 (Fig. 3), the recording stylus 73 and the stylus operating magnet 14, is supported for scanning movement longitudinally of the cylinder I on a rod 'IS by a beveled roller TI mounted in brackets I8 on the bottom of the box. An inverted U-shaped bracket 79 in the upper portion of the box slidably embraces a guide rod 8l. The stylus I3 is carried on a pivoted arm 83, the projecting end 84 of Which is the armature of the stylus magnet 14.

A half-nut 8S is located beneath the scanning box for vertical movement into and out of engagement with the feed screw 49. This range of vertical movement is provided by securing the half-nut 8S to a pivoted arm 88, one end of which serves as an armature for the half-nut magnet 89. A spring 9i serves to maintain the half-nut out of engagement with the lead screw until the magnet 89 is energized. A pair of contacts 92 are brought into circuit-closing engagement when the half-nut magnet 89 is energized. Scanning movement of the carriage 'II also occurs when the half-nut magnet 89 is energized.

The circumference of the recording cylinder I4 is preferably such that, when a blank 32 is wrapped around the cylinder for scanning, its edges overlap slightly to provide a smoother path for the recording stylus and to prevent its contacting the drum. In order to facilitate stripping the blank from the drum after scanning, each blank is preferably notched in one corner, as at Bi), in Fig. 2, in such a Way that, when the blank is on the cylinder, the notch provides an open space between the edges at one end. This space permits the stripping iinger IS to be inserted through the open space and under a blank for the purpose of stripping it from the cylinder. Ii desired, the message sheets to be inscribed with subject matter for transmission may be shorter than the circumference of the cylinder I4, provida'ng a space between their edges when in position tc facilitate operation of the stripper finger The portion of the light reflective drum which is exposed between the edges of the sheet in either case be used in conjunction with the optical scanner 'H to derive a framing signal. Also, a Contact arm may bear on the cylinder and make contact with the exposed cylinder for the purpose of providing a framing signal. The stripper nger IG is adjustably secured to a rock shaft 93 by a set screw 9d. The rock shaft 93, journaled in any suitable manner in the frame of the machine lil, carries the armature St of a stripper magnet Sil. A return spring 95 maintains the stripper finger out of engagement with the cylinder I until the magnet 97 is energized.

In operation of the mechanical features thus far described and assuming that the machine is to be used as a recorder, the motor associated with the blank feeding mandrel 39 is energized over a circuit to be described in connectio-n with Fig. 3 of the drawings, or over any desired circuit which includes the contact 5S and the switch arm 55|. A blank 32 will be released and wrapped around the cylinder ifi, whereupon the circuit controlling the motor will be interrupted. During the scanning operation, the feed screw 29 is rotated from the motor through the feed screw driving gears to produce the necessary scanning movement of the scanning carriage 'l0 and stylus 'I3 longitudinally of the rotating cylinder. When scanning is completed, or at any desired time, the half-nut 8G is disengaged from the carriage feed screw, permitting the carriage to be returned to its starting position by a strand or cord under tension secured to the carriage, as shown in Patent No. 2,262,715. Upon completion of a scanning operation, the magnet Gi may be energized, causing the stripper finger to strip the message sheet from the cylinder so that it drops into the bin I2.

When the machine is to be operated as a transmitter, the lock switch or push-button I9 isoperated, following which the chute lock. magnet 59 is energized in any desired manner, either locally at the machine It or from a remote point with which communication is desired. lThe armature of the magnet 5@ is connected by a link ISI to a bell crank |32 which carries a bar Iii-3 normally obstructing entrance to the chute 2t. lnsertion of the message sheet the proper manner may be insured by beveling one corner of the blank for cooperation with an arrangement suc-h as is disclosed in Patent No. 2,252,215, referred to above. When the sheet in position on the cylinder iii bears subject matter for transmission, the optical scanning device 'i2 will be in operation with the stylus IS retracted.

The transmitting and recording equipment Iiid installed at a central office for interconnection with one or more of the machines IIl is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4 of the drawings. A suitable machine of the automatic drum changing type combining transmitting and recording functions is shown in complete detail in Patent No. 2,255,868, referred to above. Separate amplifiers IBS and |27 are provided for the transmitting and recording functions, respectively, of the machine Ilill. A signal inverter |95 feeds the recording stylus |09. The monitor recorder III, as stated above, is disclosed in Fig. 4 of Patent No. 2,255,869. An amplifier ||2 feeds the recording styli I Id of the monitor recorder. It will be understood that any type of facsimile equipment may be employed at the central office. However, the arrangement of apparatus to be described is quite convenient and represents a desirable embodiment of the system of this invention. The combined transmitter-recorder lila is driven through a gear mechanism H5 by a motor IIB which operates in synchronism with the motor i8 of the machine or machines I0 and drives a power shaft II'I through a constantly engaged friction clutch H8. The shaft III drives the transmitterrecorder |22 through any suitable means, such as the gear and pinion combination IIS and |2I, diagrammatically shown. The stylus moving mechanism |22 and the paper feed mechanism |23 of the monitor recorder are also driven from the shaft I I'I, for example, by a worm and worm wheel combination |24 and |26, also rep-resented diagrammatically in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The shaft I |1 is locked against rotation by a tooth or pawl i2? on an armature |28 pivoted at |29 which engages a notch I3I formed in a disc |32 which is secured to the shaft. A spring |33 serves to withdraw the tooth |21 from the notch |3| upon deenergization of a phasing or framing magnet |32. The gear ratios of the worm and worm wheel combination |26 and |26 are selected so that a copy holding drum |35 of the transmitter-recorder |02 rotates once While a recording stylus ||l| of the monitor recorder traverses its recording strip |36. This arrangement is employed, as it simplifies phasing or framing of subject matter transmitted from one of the machines lil. The blanks upon which incoming messages are to be recorded and the message sheets bearing subject matter for transmission to the machines m are mounted on the copy holding drums |35 which are inserted in the transmitterrecorder apparatus IM one at a time, as shown and explained in Patent No. 2,255,868. The rccording drum in operative position is rotated by power'supplied from the shaft and during rotation the marking stylus |09 or a light spot from an optical transmitting scanner |31 scans the message sheet in a direction parallel to the axis of the copyholding drum. Mechanism similar to that disclosed in the patent is provided for removing a copyholder drum with its attached message sheet after a scanning operation.

The transmitting and recording amplifiers IE6 and |21 and the monitor amplier ||2 are connected to the contact studs of the fifth and sixth levels of a rotary switch |38 made up of eight levels, Each level is provided with twenty-one contact studs and a movable contact arm. The eight contact arms are designated |32@ to igh and are moved simultaneously. Each is provided with a bridging wiper IM whereby connection is made each of the studs before the connection with the preceding stud is broken. The contact arms |39a to liih of the switch |38 normally remain in the neutral position (Fig. 4.-) when the system is idle and are moved in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig'. 4, from the neutral position over thirteen studs when a messagsI is to be transmitted to a machine I0, and in the opposite direction from the neutral position over eight studs when the central station attendant is responding to a call from one of the machines Iii and is taking the steps necessary to record an incoming message.

The communication circuit connecting a single machine or a plurality of machines IE) and the central office is shown as a line L comprising a pair of conductors LI and L2, which are used slmultaneously for the transmission of the alternating current facsimile signals or message impulses and the direct current control signals by which selection and operation of a machine I0 is obtained.

When a machine lli is in use as a transmitter, the facsimile signals originate at the optical scanning device 'II including a light source II which is connected to an amplifier |42, as shown in Fig. 3, the output circuit of which is connected to a pair of contacts |23 of a relay IM. When the machine It is in use as a recorder, the incoming facsimile signals are applied to a receiving amplifier Il and to the stylus I3 by way of make contacts |41 of the relay |44. The tongues of the relay which cooperate with the contacts |43 and |41 are connected through a pair of blocking condensers |48 to the line conductors LI and L2. The purpose of the blocking condensers is to isolate the alternating current facsimile signals from the direct current control signals. The polarity of the direct current potentials which are applied to the conductor L| is controlled by the apparatus at the central cnice for the purpose of operating a polar relay |49 connected to this conductor at the machine I0. Similarly, the .polarity of the direct current potential applied to the conductor L2 is controlled by the apparatus at the central oilice for the purpose of operating a polar relay |5| connected to this conductor at the machine IU. Each of these polar relays is of the threeposition type, whereby the tongue is moved to one extreme contact in response to the polarity of potential, to the other extreme contact in response to the opposite polarity of potential, and to a mid position disengaged from both of the eX- treme contacts in response to a no-current condition. The tongue |52 of the relay |45 cooperates with contacts M and S. The tongue |53 of the relay 5| cooperates with the contacts M and S.

It should be understood that a number of machines I0, as stated above, will normally be connected to a single communication circuit in a party line system, and that each machine is adapted to be locked against operation when any other machine on the same line is operating, as will be described hereinafter, and as is fully set forth in Patent No. 2,262,715.

The operation of the complete system will be described in connection with Figs. 3 and 4 taken together. It is assumed that power is supplied at the machine l by connecting a suitable source of alternating current |55 through a switch |56 to the bus bars A and B. The switch |56 is kept closed to maintain the heaters of the ampliers |42 and |46 fed from the transformer |51 in condition for immediate operation. The motors 48 and 12, the plate supply for the ampliers and the light source or other active element of the optical scanner are controlled from the central oilice following operation of the push button l5 or selection of the machine by the central oiice.

Operation of the system to select and communicate with a particular machine Il) will rst be described. The attendant at the central oce inserts the copyholding drum bearing the message to be transmitted in position in the transmitter-recorder |64 by operating a key I6! (Fig. 4). in Fig. 3 of Patent No. 2,255,868 and operates the drum changing relay |62. The drum changing relay |62 is also controlled by the contact arm |39h of the rotary switch |36. A plug |63 is inserted in the line jack |64 of the line L to which the desired machine I8 is connected. This connects the line conductors LI and L2 through a pair of blocking condensers |66 and through a power level adjustment pad |61 to the movable arms ISSCZ and |390 of the rotary switch and disconnects the line amplifier |68 and its associated equipment, which is not needed at this time, from the line L. The line conductors L| and L2 are also connected through a pair of inductances or choke coils |69 to the control signaling apparatus comprising the contact arms |39b and |390: of the rotary switch.

The contact arm |356, in its `neutral position, rests on a contact stud to which the positive pole of a suitable source of direct current signaling po- This corresponds to the key 221 disclosed s tential is connected. Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that line L! controls operation of the three-position relay |49 and, when a positive potential is applied to this relay, its tongue |52 cooperates with the contact M' to complete a circuit through the stepping magnet coil |1| of a selector switch |12. The connection to line LI at the central oliice includes a dialing device |13 of a well-known type which causes impulses in the nature of interruptions of a steady current to pass over the line to the stepping magnet |1|. In impulsing devices of this kind, the dial usually winds a spring which drives an interrupter consisting of a cam engaging the impulse springs. The line circuit is normally closed, and the impulse so-called is a brief interruption of the line current. These impulses or current interruptions are effective to step the switch arm |14 of the selector one point for each impulse. With the selector diagrammatically shown by way of example in Fig. 3, insertion of the plug |63 into the jack |64 at the central oce will cause the switch arm |14 to move to its second contact stud. To select the machine Hl of Fig. 3, the dial will be manipulated by dialing No. 4, which will produce four successive interruptions, stepping the switch arm to the fifth contact stud to which the operating coil of a relay |16 is connected. The system is preferably so designed that when positive potential is removed from the line Ll, it is applied to line L2 to maintain the selection of the machine by way of the make contact 92 of the switch associated with the half-nut magnet and energization of its relay |16. Stepping of the selectors of other machines connected to the line L occurs, but no selection will result, as their relays |16 will not be operated because of the presence of contacts |11.

The effect of the positive potential maintained on the line conductor L| or on the line conductor L2 is to maintain the busy signal lamp 22a illuminated in all the machines connected to the line L. The circuit of the signal lamp 22a with positive potential applied to L| may be traced from the bus bar B through the contact tongue |52 and contact M of relay |49, the break contacts |18 of a multicontact switch |18 to bus bar A. The circuit for the signal lamp 22al with positive potential applied to L2 may be traced from the bus bar B through the make contact 92 of the switch associated with the half-nut magnet 89, the break contacts |16 of the multicontact switch |19 and the lamp 22a to the bus bar A. The push button |9 at the selected machine |6 and at the other machines connected to the line L is rendered ineffective by a break Contact of a relay |82 which is connected in parallel with the signal lamps 22a and 22C. When the calling plug at the central office is inserted in the line jack, placing a plus potential on line Ll, bus bar A isconnected to one terminal of the magnet |83 through the tongue |52 and contact M of the polar relay |49, the other terminal being connected to the bus bar B whereby this magnet becomes energized to attract its armature |6 4. As the facsimile communication process is carried out in a manner to be described, the other terminal of the locking magnet |83 is connected to the bus bar B through the make Contact 92 of the switch associated with the half-nut magnet 69 when positive potential is connected to the line L2. The hooked portion of this armature moves beneath the armature |86 of the multicontact switch |19 to lock it in the upper or ofi position shown.

aziaaoi This occurs at the other machine on the line L as well as the selected machine l0.

The selector arm |14 is shown as being stepped by a pawl |88 which engages the teeth of a ratchet wheel |89 carried by a shaft |9| to which the switch arm |14 is secured. A pawl |92 also engages the teeth of the ratchet Wheel and maintains the selected position of the arm |14 while the stepping magnet coil |'1| is deenergized. A coil |99 is provided for withdrawing the pawl |92 from the teeth of the ratchet when it is energized in a manner described below. One side of this coil |90 is connected to the alternating current bus bar A, the circuit being completed under conditions described below Ato the bus bar B through a thermal time delay switch |94. The

coil |99 of the thermal switch |94 is energized through a pair of lcooperating contacts |95, the movable one of which is carried by the lpivoted armature |98 of the stepping magnet |1|. With this arrangement, the magnet coil |99 is normally deenergized, even during the selecting operation, as the time of closure of the contacts |95 during a stepping pulse is insuflicient to cause heating of the thermostatic bar |91 of the thermal time delay switch |94. When the selection is completed, energization of the stepping magnet |1| is maintained, which maintains the circuit through the heater element |99 by way of the contacts |95, for a suiiicient period to effect closure of the contacts of the thermal switch, thus energizing magnet |99. The pawl |92 is thus retracted so that the ratchet Wheel |89 is free to return to its normal position under the influence of the torsion spring 290 when the centra-l ofiice attendant has completed the steps to be described of transmitting a message to the machine l and checking its receipt.

The relay |15, which is energized upon selecting the machine I0 by the dial |13, completes a circuit through its make contact 20|, which circuit includes the coil of the send-receive relay |44 and the contact S of the polar relay |49. ri`his circuit enables-the central oice attendant to contro1 the transmitter and recorder functions of the machine I0 by reversing the polarity applied to the line LI. When the negative pole of the signaling current source is connected lto the line Ll relay tongue |52 moves to the 'contact S', thereby energizing the relay |44 to connect the receiving amplier |46 to the lines L| and L2. The make contact 204 of relay |16 serves to contro1 the connection of the amplifiers |42 and |46 across the alternating current bus bars A and B and, also, energizes a relay 205 over the conductor 295 which closes the circuit from the amplifiers to the line L at its make contact 201. This relay is included for connecting the amplifiers to the line only when power is applied to the machine so that, in party line operation, only the machine in use will be bridged across the line, and the signal will not be weakened by the unnecessary connection of other machines on the line. The cylinder driving motor 48 and the light chopper motor 12 of the optical scanner 1| are also energized over the conductor 205 when the relay |16` is energized by selection of the machine.

The rotary switch |38 (Fig. 4) is moved from the neutral position counterclockwise to the rst position to obtain a positive check of the selecn tion of the desired machine I0. Positive potential is maintained on LI by the contact arm |39bv, and positive potential is connected to L2 by the arm |'39a whereby the half-nut magnet 89 of the selected machine is energized to scan a distinctive mark 209 (Fig. 2) which is repeated around the periphery of the copyholding cylinder I4. In the example shown, the mark 209 ltakes the form of letters S-X, and it will be understood that the copyholding cylinders I4 of the other machines available for selection will also be provided with distinctive marks diiering from each other. The contact arms |39c and |39d of the rotary switch |38 in its rst position connect the -lines LI and L2 to the ampliiier ||2 of the monitor recorder by way ci the blocking condensers |66. The marks 299, in this instance SX, will be recorded on the web or strip E99 of recording paper in the monitor recorder. The paper feed mechanism of the monitor recorder operate-s', since the relay 2 0 is deenergized at the contact arm |3912 and the latch |29 is withdrawn from the notch ISI, since the arm Meg opens the circuit of the locking coil 2|4 of the relay 2te. It will be noted that, inasmuch as the marks are repeated upon the periphery of the 'copynolding cylinder i4, phasing of the machine i9 with the monitor recorder is not necessary at this time, as one or more of the marks will be Vreproduced in their entirety. The rotary switch |98 is maintained in its rst position until the central oice is satisfied that the desired machine i9 has been selected.

The rotary switch |38 is next moved to its sec'- ond position to secure a message blank 32 on the copyholding cylinder 'of the selected machine. This is accomplished by placing a negative potential on conductor -Ll and maintaining the connection of the conductor L2 to the positive pole of the signal source. At the machine i9 this energizes the relay |44, incidentally connecting the vselected partys receiving amplifier |49 to the line, but it has no function at this time. The

half-nut magnet 89 vremains energized, causing the stylus to feed, but this action is also incidental. Energization of the relay |44 in the manner explained completes a circuit from the bus bar A by way of the switch arm 54 and the cooperating contact 5S, a make contact 2|| of the relay |44 and a make contact 2|2 of the relay |18 to the driving motor of the message feeding device 4 The message blank 32 is thereby applied to the c opyholding cylinder I4 in aooordance with the description above, which raises the finger 52 from its groove and breaks the circuit which was made at the Contact arm 54 and Contact 56, stopping the driving motor of the sheet lfeeding device 4|. n

The next active step, which is the fifth position of the rotary switch, phases the selected machine |0 with the combined monitor and transmitter-recorder at the central office, and to do this it is necessary to apply positive potential to the conductors LI and L2. However, to insure the maintenance of communication with the selected machine I0, two transition steps of the rotary switch |38 are included. The third position reverses the polarity of conductor L| and vholds conductor L2 positive to avoid losing the selected partly. The fourth position opens the connection to the conductor L2 with the signaling source, thereby spacing back the scanning carriage '19 of the selected partys machine l0. If, in the fth or phasing position mentioned above, a black line on the blank 22 is used extending all the way across the blank instead of a black spot of limited area in a definite position, the back spacing step provided by the fourth position will lnot be necessary, as the phasing signal will be l l generated at all points in the longitudinal travel of the carriage 11).

When the rotary switch 138 is passing over its fourth position to its fifth or phasing position noted above, a coil 214 of a relay 216 is energized at this time by way of contact arm 139g and thereby energizes a relay 211 by applying ground at a make contact 218. In the fth position of the rotary switch, the circuit of the coil 214 is opened; however, the relay 214 stays up, since its coil 226 is energized from ground at make contact 218, switch arm 139e and the make contact 221 oi the phasing relay 224. The relay 211 en'- ergizes the phasing magnet 134 at its make contact 219 and also energizes the half-nut magnet 220 of the transmitter-recorder section 104 of theV central office equipment. This stops the transmitter-recorder 104 and also the monitor recorder 111 until the scanning light spot at the machine passes over the non-reecting mark 222 (Fig. 2) onthe recording blank in position on the recording cylinder 14 at the machine 10. This causes a drop in the signal fed to the phasing amplifier 223, resulting in substantial deenergization of the relay 224, which opens the circuit of the locking coil 226 of the relay 216 at the make contact 221. Deenergization of the locking coil 226 of the relay 216 opens the circuit of the relay 211, resulting in release of the relay 211, starting the shaft 11'1 to drive the monitor recorder 11 1 in phase with the machine 10. Operation of the carriage of the machine 1114 is incidental. If the exposed portion of the reflective cylinder is used for the purpose of deriving a framing signal at the machine 10, the phasing relay may be of the high current type provided with a break contact instead of a make contact. The signal level will be higher when scanning the bright drum than when scanning the less reflective surface of the message blank.

As the amplifier 112 of the monitor recorder 11 1 is connected to the line L at this time by the contact arms 139e and 139:2 of the rotary switch 1313, a portion of the blank will be scanned, thereby checking positively application of the blank to the copyholding cylinder of the selected machine 10 by a record on the web 210.

The sixth and seventh positions of the rotary switch 133 are carriage space back and transition steps, respectively. In the sixth position the positive pole of the signaling source is connected to line L1 by way of the contact arm 13911, and the line L2 is unconnected at this time. In the seventh position positive potential is maintained on the line L1, and the line L2 is also connected to the positive pole of the source of signaling potential by way of the contact arm 139a.

Transmission from the central oiiice to the selected machine occurs at the eighth position of the rotary switch 133. The contact arm 1396 connects L1r to the negative pole of the source of signaling potential, and the contact arm 139e connects the line L2 to the positive pole of the signaling source. The negative potential on line L1 moves the contact tongue 1521 of the relay 149 to its contact S', operating the send-receive relay 144. The positive potential on the line L2 which is maintained from the previous step causes the carriage 10 of the selected machine l to feed. The stylus magnet 14 is energized at this time from the bus bar A through the arm 54 and contact 51 of the paper control switch, the operating coil of the stylus magnet, a make contact 232 of the relay 144 to the bus bar B, The rotary switch is left in its eighth position until the message 12 on the 'copyholdingdrum at the transmitter 104 has been completely'scanned, after which the rotary switch is moved through its ninth and tenth positions to position eleven.`

The ninth and tenth positions are transition and carriage space back steps, respectively. In the ninth position of the rotary switch a positive potential is applied to lines L1 and L2. In the tenth position the line L2 is opened, which permits the carriage 10 of the selected machine to return to its initial position.

The eleventh position of the rotary switch is effective to permit the central station attendant to obtain a record of all or any portion of the subject matter which was recorded on the message blank at the selected machine in the eighth position of the rotary switch. Positive potential is connected to the lines L1 'and L2 which, in accordance with the previous description, deenergizes the 'send-receive relay 144 to connect the sending ampliiier 142 to the line and also to cause engagement of the half-nut with the lead screw 49 to'propel the carriage 18. The rotary switch is maintained in this No` 11 position until the record appearing on the monitor recorder satisiies the attendant that the message has been received.

The twelfth position of the rotary switch maintains L1 positive and connects line L2 to the negative pole of the source of signaling potential, which movesV the contact arm 153 of the three-position relay 151 against its S contact to energize the peel magnet 91 to remove the blank 32 from the drum. The switch arm 54 of the selected machine 1B comes in contact again with the contact 5, thereby preparing the circuit which places a new blank in position upon the next operation or" the relay 144, in accordance with the previous description. This contact also connects the magnet 59 of the chute locking mechanism across the bus bars A and B. However, this circuit is interrupted at this time at the make contact 233 of a relay 23e, the operating coil of which is connected from the bus bar B to the bus bar A in parallel with the deposit message signal lamp 22h over the conductor 236. The conductor 231 for feeding the lamp 22h is connected to the make contacts 238 of the multicontact switch 111 which are closed only when the push button 19 is operated by a person desiring to operate the machine 13 as a transmitter. The relay 23d, therefore, permits the chute 24 to open only when the machine 113 or the machine Ia is operative as a transmitter and the copyholding cylinder 14 does not contain a message sheet. Also, in the twelfth position of the rotary switch 138 its contact arm 139g energizes the coil 214 of the relay 21S, thereby to stop the copyholcling drum of the transmitter-recorder 194 and energize its half-nut to eifect a carriage return. The contact arm 13971 energizes the relay 152 `to eject the copyholding drum from the machine 164 in the manner described in Patent No. 2,262,715 referred to.

The thirteenth position of the rotary switch is similar to the nrst position. The monito-r re corder amplier 112 is connected to the communication circuit L, and the selected machine 113 is operated as a transmitter by placing a posi tive potential on the lines L1 and L2. Transmission from the machine 19 need be continued only until a record is obtained of the distinctive mark on the copyholding cylinder.

The central station attendant may now remove the plug 1133 from the jack 164 which turns off the selected machine Hl by deenergizing the stepping magnet coil lli,4 permitting the pawl |88 to release the ratchet wheel |82. The magnet I9@ is energized at this time through the thermal time delay switch |94, thereby keeping the pawl |52 from engage-ment with the teeth of the ratchet wheel at this time. After a short time interval, the thermostatic bar |89 of the switch ist cools and opens the circuit of the magnet iiil which permits the pawl |92 to drop in place in readiness for the next operation of the selector.

When the contact arm l'ifi of the selector is returned to its normal position, the relay H6 is deenergized, which disconnects the power supply from the amplifiers at the make contact 294 of the relay, thereby stopping the motors and disconnecting the amplifiers. The relay 205 is deenergized, which disconnects the sending amp-li fier |42 from the llines Li and L2 for the reasons stated above.

The rotary switch at the central office is preferably returned to its neutral position when the operator removes the plug |53. However, if the switch is left in the thirteenth position inadvertently, selection is possible, since the positive pole of the signaling source is connected to Ll when the plug is next inserted to select a machine I0.

lli the central ofice attendant is dissatisfied with the appearance or" the record obtained on the strip |25 oi the monitor recorder when the rotary switch was in its eleventh position, he may move the rotary switch to position twelve to remove the unsatisfactory copy and return it to the second position to place a fresh blank on the machine and then re-run the transmitter at the central oilice. Before doing this, he may, if he so desires, write the words second transmission or words of similar import on the original message mounted on the copyholding drum of the transmittel` so as to apprise the person removing the received message from the bin l2 at the machine |i! that two or" the record sheets to be found there are duplicates. This will avoid any confusion which may result if the first transmission is so poor that it cannot be deciphered and will be a clear indication that the transmission has been repeated.

The steps of the entire p-rocess of selecting and transmitting a message to the machine I9 will be accurately recorded on the web |35 of the monitor recorder and may be preserved at the central oice for accounting and other purposes.

Any one of the machines i9 may be operated as transmitters in a manner similar to that set forth in detail in Patent No. 2,262,715 referred to above. The rotary switch |38 is, therefore, provided with eight steps which are covered by the contact arms |`39a to |3971 when these contact arms are moved in a clockwise direction from the neutral position.

To use any one of the machines I as a transmitter, the patron or other authorized person operates the push button |9 or its equivalent, there'- by energizing the operating magnet 24| of the multicontact switch |19. This results in closure of the make contacts 242 which perform the same function as the make contact 204 of the relay |16. The amplifiers of the machine are energized at this time, and the driving and light chopper motors 48 and 'i2 are started. An alternating current signal is generated by the optical pickup device 1| which is received by the previously mentioned line amplifier |68 at the central ofce. The output of this amplifier energizes' a relay' 243 which in turn energizes a relay 244 by way of a make contact 246. A make contact 241 of the relay 244 lights a supervisory lamp 248 to apprise the central station attendant that a call is to be answered and also connects the positive pole of a signaling source, which may be the signaling source previously mentioned, to line Ll.

The positive potential on the line LI moves the contact tongue |52 of the relay |49 to its contact M', thereby illuminating the deposit message lamp 22h over the closed contacts 238 and also locking the switch |19 by energizing the locking magnet |83.

The patron will now insert in the slot 24 a message sheet in scribed with the subject matter to be transmitted, the slot being open at this time by reason of the energization of the relay 234 over the conductor 236. When the message sheet is wrapped on the copyholding cylinder I4, the switch arm 54 interrupts the circuit of the chute locking magnet 59 which was maintained at the contact 56.

The central station attendant, responding to the signal lamp 248, inserts the plug |63 in the jacky |64, which disconnects the line amplifier |68 but maintains L| positive over the contact arm |3911. The receiving amplier |01 at the central office is maintained in communication with the line L over the contact arms |39c and iBSd of the rotary switch |38. The attendant may now move the rotary switch |33 clockwise from the neutral position to its rst position, which is, as regards the polarity of Ll, the same as the neutral position. L2 is maintained open. The coil 2 I4 of the relay 2|$ is energized by way of the contact arm |399 to prepare the phasing circuits originating at the make contact 2|8.

If a copyholding drum bearing a record blank is not in position in the central oflice recorder, the key |6| may be operated to insert a copy-V holder in the machine. However, one will usually be present if the machine has been previously used as arecorder, and the message drum feeding magazine of the machine is provided with copyholding drums having message blanks.

The attendant will now move the rotary switch |38 to its second position if he has not immediately done so after inserting the plug |63. In this second position of the rotary switch, line L2 is connected to the positive pole of the signal source, line Ll being maintained positive. The contact tongue |53 of the relay |5| moves t'o its M contact, engaging the half-nut 86 to start the scanning process at the machine I0. The lamp 22a of the message being transmitted sign is illuminated. Also, in this position of the rotary switch, the holding coil 2|4 of the doublecurrent relay 2||5 is deenergized so that this relay may respond to the drop in carrier current energy which occurs when the spot of light from the light source in the optical transmitter 'H p-asses over the black spot on the message sheet in position on the cylinder I4, The stylus |09 is brought in contact with the record blank by a stylus magnet 249 which is energized at this time by way of the arm |39f of the rotary switch.

Recording is permitted to proceed until the central station attendant observes that the en'- tire subject matter has been recorded by the machine ||l4, whereupon he moves the rotary switch |38 to its third position, which energizes the relay |S2 to remove the copyholder drum bearing the recorded message from the machine |04. The coil' 2|4 of the relay 2|6 is energizedtostop the scanner ofi the machine |64, and communication with the machine l is maintained by maintaining a positive potential on line LI. Its scanner is .returned by opening the line L2.

The recording process may be repeated by again moving the switch to the second position if the central station attendant so desires. A fresh copyholder drum |35 will be in position in the machine |64, and the tongue |53 of the relay will again move to its M contact to energize the half-nut magnet 89. J

If the central station attendant is satisiied with the quality 0f the received message, he moves the rotary switch to its fourth position, which applies negative potential to the line L2 to move the contact tongue |53 of the relay |5| to its S contact, which energizes the peel magnet 9T. The rotary switch is turned to the eighth position. In passing over the seventh position, the lines L| and L2 are opened, which shuts down the machine l0, and in the eighth position negative potential is applied to the line Ll, which lights the lamp 22d of the message accepted sign. The circuit for this may be traced from bus bar A, contact S' of relay |49, a break contact 250 of relay |6, closed contacts 25| of the multicontact switch |19 and the lamp 22d. The plug |63 may be removed from the jack |64 and the rotary switch turned to it neutral position in preparation for the next operation at the central office.

If, after repeating the recording process, the central station attendant is satisfied that a good recordingcannot be obtained, or if the message is illegibleghe may move the rotary switch to the sixth position, which will apply negative potential to the line L| to move the contact arm |52 of therelay 49 to the contact S', thereby illuminating the signal lamp 22e of the rewrite message sign' by way of thecontacts 253 of the multi-contact switch |19, which is maintained closed by keeping the line L2 positive. The rotary switch is then returned to the deposit message position in readiness to again receive the message or subject matter, which must be reinscribed by the patron upon a fresh message sheet.

Fig. 5 of the drawings illustrates a modification of the transmitter-recorder of this invention provided with means for selectively distributing message sheets removed from the copyholding cylinder. In the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 5, two electromagnetically operated message sheet removing devices are shown for selectively distributing message sheets into one or the other of twocompartments. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that a number of angularly spaced message sheet removing devices may be provided, together with a compartment or receptacle associated with each device, and that any desired means for selectively operating these message sheets may be employed.

The machine of Fig. 5 is substantially the same as the machine lil of Fig 1, and therefore like parts are designated by the same reference characters to facilitate identification of these parts. The copyholding cylinder |4 is positioned as before to ce fed with blanks 32 or message sheets manually introduced into the chute 26 by way of the slot 24. The switch arm 54 is operated by an arm 252 similar to the arm 52 of Fig. l which cooperates with a groove 5| in a copyholding cylinder |4. The contacts 56 and 51 are shown as being interchanged in position, since the arm 252 lies above the cylinder |4. The stripping iinger i6 is effective upon energization of the magnet Sl'to remove a message sheet from the copyholding cylinder so that it is deposited 16 in the bin or compartment |2. Access to message sheets in the compartment |2 is obtained through the closure |8 which,A if desired, may be provided with any suitable type of lock.

An additional stripping finger 254 is provided, which is adjustably secured to a rock shaft 256 by a set screw 251. This rock shaft is journaled in any suitable manner from the sides of the machine and carries the armature 258 of a stripper magnet 259. A return spring 26| maintains the stripper ngcr out of engagement with the cylinder I4 until the magnet is energized. The magnet 259 may, as shown, be mounted at one side of the machine, and to the rear of the stripper magnet 91 which operates the stripper iinger I6.

A compartment 262 having side walls 263, one of which is shown, and a front wall 264 is provided for receiving message sheets ejected from the copyholding cylinder I4 upon operation of the stripping ringer 254. Access to the compartment 262 is obtained through a closure member 266 hinged at 267 to the rear panel of the box which houses the entire machine |0. The closure member 266 may also, if desired, be provided with a lock. By selecting locks for the closures I8 and 266 which are opened by diierent keys, it will be noted that message sheets of any kind removed by the stripper nger |6 will be accessi-ble only to a person provided with a key for the closure |8, and likewise message sheets of any kind removed by the stripper nger 254 will be accessible only to a person provided with a key for the closure 266.

The magnets 9'! and 259 may be energized in any desired manner to effect operation of the respective stripper fingers. Fig, 6 discloses a modication of the system of Figs. 3 and 4 for obtaining selective operation of the stripper fingers in a manner to cause distribution of message sheets bearing recorded subject matter to the compartment |2 and the message sheets bearing subject matter for transmission into the compartment 262. Only the modied portions of the apparatus and circuits of Figs. 3 and 4 are disclosed by Fig. 6. The switch arms |39a and |391 of the multicontact switch |38, when operated in a ccunterclockwise direction, cause operation of a selected machine Il) in the manner previously described. When the contact arm |39a reaches its twelfth stud, the stripper finger l is operated in the manner previously described. The contact arm |39a in Fig. 3 also causes operation of the stripper finger |6 when the rotary switch is operated in a clockwise direction to the fourth stud from the neutral position. In Fig. 6, the fourth contact stud which cooperates with the contact arm |39a is left blank, thereby to afford an opportunity for operating the stripper finger 254. This is accomplished in the modied system of Fig. 6 by providing a relay 269 which is responsive only to values 0i current normally flowing in the line LI for operation Vof the polar relay |49. .The make contact 21| of this relay completes a circuit including the peel magnet 259 from the bus bar A through the contacts 242 of the multicontact switch |19 to the bus bar B. When a higher than normal signal potential is applied to the line L|, the relay 269 Awill close its contacts and energize the peel magnet 259 to bring the stripper nger 254 into engagement with the copyholding cylinder i4. This higher potential is applied to the contact arm |3911 at the fourth contact stud in a clockwise direction from theV neutral position.

i7 Message sheets bearing subject matter for transmission and introduced through the chute 26 are thus removed from the copyholding cylinder I4 and distributed to the compartment 262.

While the invention has been explained in detail in connection with several illustrative embodiments thereof, it is understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms, and therefore the invention is not limited except as indicated by the terms and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A facsimile telegraph system including a communication circuit, a plurality of out-station facsimile transmitter-recorders connected to said circuit, a selector associated with each outstation transmitter-recorder for initiating operation thereof and connecting the same to said circuit, a central office facsimile transmitter-recorder connected to said circuit for selective connection with any one of said out-station transmitter-recorders, each of said selector mechanisms being responsive to an associate electrical characteristic of said circuit for initiating operation of its associated transmitter-recorder, and means at each out-station transmitter-recorder for initiating operation thereof independently of its selector mechanism.

2. A facsimile telegraph system including a communication circuit, a plurality of out-station facsimile transmitter-recorders connected to said circuit, a central omce facsimile transmitter-recorder connected to said circuit for selective connection with any one of said out-station transmitter-recorders, locking mechanism associated with each out-station transmitter-recorder for preventing operation thereof, and means responsive to a potential characteristic of said circuit for actuating said locking mechanism.

3. In a facsimile telegraph system, a facsimile telegraph machine comprising a facsimile recording device and a facsimile transmitting device, a communication circuit connected to said machine, means responsive to an electrical characteristic of said circuit for connecting said transmitting device to said circuit to transmit facsimile signals thereover, and means responsive to another electrical characteristic of said circuit for connecting said recording device to said circuit to record facsimile signals received thereover.

4. In a facsimile telegraph system, a facsimile telegraph machine comprising a facsimile recording device and a facsimile transmitting device, a communication circuit connected to said machine, means responsive to an electrical characteristic of said circuit for connecting said transmitting device to said circuit to transmit facsimile signals thereover, means responsive to another electrical characteristic of said circuit for connecting said receiving device to said circuit to record facsimile signals received thereover, and other means at said machine for connecting said transmitting device to said circuit.

5. A facsimile telegraph system comprising a communication circuit, a plurality of facsimile machines associatable with said communication circuit, a selector associated with each machine for connecting the same to said circuit, a cen.. tral station, means at said central station for se- 18 lectively actuating said selectors whereby to select and connect a desired machine to said circuit, and means at the selected machine to transmit to said central station characteristic signals thereof in facsimile for positively identifying the selected machine.

6. A facsimile telegraph system comprising a communicationcircuit, a plurality of facsimile transmitter-recorder machines associatable with said circuit, a selector associated with each machine for operatively connecting the same to said circuit, a central station, means for actuating said selectors whereby to select and operatively associate a desired transmitter-recorder with said circuit, means for transmitting in facsimile to a selected machine, means for transmitting in facsimile message subject matter from a selected machine, means for transmitting in facsimile identifying subject matter for positively identifying the selected machine, and means located at said central station for recording both the message and identifying subject matter.

7. A facsimile telegraph system comprising a communication circuit, a plurality of facsimile machines associatable with said communication circuit, each machine having a transmitting device and a recording device, means individual to each recording device to supply message blanks thereto, a selector associated with each machine, a central station, means at said central station for controlling said selectors whereby to select a desired machine, means at said central station for controlling the operation of said message blank supply means of said selected machine, and means at said central station for obtaining a record of subject matter recorded by said selected machine.

8. A facsimile telegraph system comprising a communication circuit, a plurality of facsimile machines connected to said communication circuit, each machine having a transmitting device and a recording device, means individual to each recording device to supply message blanks thereto, a selector associated with each machine, a central station, means at said central station for actuating said selectors whereby to select a desired machine, means at said machine to transmit subject matter in facsimile to said central station for positively identifying the selected machine, means at said central station for operating said message blank supply means of said selected machine, and means at said central station for obtaining a record of subject matter recorded by said selected machine.

. RALEIGH J. WISE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,026,162 De Manna Dec. 3l, 1935 1,232,776 Dill July 10, 1917 2,265,339 Blanton et al Dec. 9, 1941 2,279,295 Blanton Apr. 14, 1942 2,193,967 Kleinschmidt Mar. 19, 1940 2,255,869 Ridings et al. Sept. 16, 1941 1,909,838 Lane May 16, 1933 

